Haredi protesters, IDF soldiers clash outside of Military Prison 10 amid draft dodging controversy

Clashes erupted outside Military Prison 10 in Beit Lid, Israel, as haredi (ultra-Orthodox) protesters demonstrated in solidarity with yeshiva students jailed for refusing military conscription. The protesters also voiced opposition to the Israeli Defense Forces' (IDF) haredi draft law, which mandates military service for ultra-Orthodox men.

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The protesters were acting violently, according to the military, and they entered a restricted military area before being forcibly removed.

According to the military, the protesters engaged in violent behavior and breached a restricted area before being forcibly removed by IDF soldiers. The incident concluded shortly thereafter. This confrontation follows a similar event on June 22, when haredi protesters swarmed the entrance and checkpoints of Prison 10, pushing aside barricades and soldiers attempting to maintain order.

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The incident was over soon thereafter, per the IDF.

These protests against mandatory conscription for ultra-Orthodox men have intensified in recent days. On Wednesday, a day before the prison clash, haredi protesters also blocked the entrance to the IDF's Central Command headquarters in Jerusalem. Videos shared online depicted police attempting to disperse the crowds while soldiers tried to remove the protesters, who were sitting in the entrance, blocking passage.

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Haredi protesters blocked the entrance to the IDF's Central Command headquarters in Jerusalem.